MANCHESTER Cityés new signing David Seaman is relishing the prospect of a new challenge after ending his 13-year tenure as Arsenalés number one.

MANCHESTER Cityés new signing David Seaman is relishing the prospect of a new challenge after ending his 13-year tenure as Arsenalés number one.

The 39-year-old England keeper has joined the Blues on a one-year deal to take over from retiree Peter Schemiechel between the sticks.

But though he will welcome guaranteed first team football, he admitted that it took a lot of consideration before he decided to quit Highbury.

New challenge

"I have given this move an enormous amount of thought and I honestly believe that the time is right for me to move on to a new challenge,é he told Arsenal.com.

"I want at least one more season of guaranteed first team football in the Premiership and honestly feel I am as fit as I have ever been.

"I have had 13 fantastic years at Arsenal, winning more trophies than I could ever have hoped for and working with world-class players. I have also had the privilege to work with great managers like Arséne Wenger and George Graham who have both been a massive support to me both professionally and personally during my time at Arsenal.

"But I want to say a special thank you to the Arsenal fans who have made Highbury feel like my own back garden when I played there.

'Arsenal legend'

Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger added: "David Seaman is an Arsenal legend and deserves only the highest recognition for everything he has achieved for both club and country over the past 13 years.

"He is an outstanding professional and to lose someone of his calibre is a great loss to the club. I, like many of our supporters, did not want David to leave but of course, I respect his desire to play regular first-team football and wish him every success in the future."